WINTERSVILLE — Joel John likes to talk about the growth he has seen in the event –and the village — since Wednesdays in Wintersville was launched in 2021.

“The event has brought many different aspects to the community,” he explained. “It started as an extension of the farmers market and it has continued to grow to include children’s activities and contests.”

The owner of Exquisite Creations by Joel, John also is the chairperson of the group that coordinates Wednesdays in Wintersville. The monthly street fair that runs along Main Street, roughly between Wintersville Methodist Church and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, returns for another season this week.

“Our goal was to have something for every age group,” he said. “We have something for children, we have something that includes all of the food trucks, we have an exhibit — our goal is to be as inclusive as possible, and show everyone what Wintersville has to offer.”

Scheduled to run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through October, the season-opening edition carries the theme of magic. Activities will include a Harry Potter exhibit in the Center of Hope at the Methodist church, some bounce houses for children, a chocolate chip cookie baking contest and a chance for children to dress as their favorite wizard or warlock. Plus, there will be the usual lineup of food trucks and vendors.

Each month through August, John explained, festival organizers will be collecting different school supplies which will packed into bags that will be distributed during the Aug. 5 event, which will carry a back-to-school theme. In keeping with the theme, on Wednesday, they will be looking for supplies that are wand-like –pens, pencils, crayons and markers, for example.

Each of the monthly evenings is designed to offer family-friendly entertainment, and to serve as a showcase for the village. John says that’s an important component for the area’s growth.

“I was approached a couple of weeks ago and was asked why would people want to bring their business to Wintersville,” John said. “They asked what would be the next step you would suggest for someone who was thinking of bringing a business to Wintersville. I immediately suggested Wednesdays in Wintersville. It’s a way to get your product out.

“If you are an entrepreneur and you are trying to see if a product is going to work, this is a great way to test the waters,” he continued. “People are out, they are visible and they are passing by your booth. It’s also an opportunity for economic growth, for people who want to have a business in town. From when I started in business here, I have seen so many businesses come and grow in the village, and that has been exciting. Wednesdays in Wintersville feels like a part of it.”

Among the reasons for the event’s continued growth is that organizers make sure there are activities for people of all ages.

“I think the thing we pride ourselves on is that there really is something for every age group,” John said. “We have a designated kids zone that has been expanded, and with the help of Wintersville Methodist Church, we have a whole area completely devoted to children. There are bounce houses and a maker’s market, which is an 18-and-under market for young entrepreneurs. There also are different crafts for kids there.

“They have been a wonderful help,” he continued. “The churches have been our two staples — Blessed Sacrament has been so generous in allowing us to use their property. We actually have members from the church who are on the committee, and they have stepped up to help our food contests this year — the Catholic Women’s Club has taken charge of the food contest this year There are a lot of good bakers there — those church ladies really know how to bake.”

The churches, he said, have really made a difference.

“Wintersville Methodist has allowed us to use their center, and that’s been a great thing. They always have activities that they do themselves, just to be present in the community, just as Blessed Sacrament does,” John added.

Among the additions to this year’s season are the availability of a handful of enclosed booths that are temperature controlled, John explained, which will be a plus for vendors who want to keep their food offerings out of the weather. A few booths will be set aside for nonprofits, he added, which will give those organizations a place where they can sell drawing tickets and offer information about their services.

The farmers market run by the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District will return in June, John added.

Four main areas make up the festival, John explained. Those are the food area, the vendor area along Grove Street, the children’s area and the lounge area, which is behind his business, which is located at 735 Main St.

Parking is available in several different locations, John said, including the Village Building and the Jefferson County Christian School.

Wintersville Mayor Mike Petrella said the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area that was approved by Village Council on April 8 has not gone into effect yet, though officials are optimistic everything will be in place before the June edition.

John said no one is really sure what — if any — effect the DORA will have on Wednesdays in Wintersville.

That area stretches along both sides of Main Street, from Clear Creek Coffee to Valley Wine Cellar on the north side and from Wintersville Methodist to Blessed Sacrament on the south side. It will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days a week. The area includes the Village Building and the property surrounding it, as well as the dog park.

That allows designated businesses to serve alcohol in specific cups that can be carried throughout the area

“We have always had businesses that sold alcohol at both ends in Valley Wine Cellar and Pastaio. Then we have Knotty Pine in our little lounge area,” John said.

“We want to emphasize that Wednesdays in Wintersville is a family event — the regulations with DORA are so strict that we don’t see it as being a problem. It’s also something that is temporary. It can be taken away as fast as it was installed. DORA was not a Wednesdays in Wintersville decision — that’s something people don’t understand.

“We’re excited to work with the village and the things they’re trying to bring to the area,” John added. “If this can help economic growth and can help to grow the event, we are definitely for that.”

The volunteer committee that organizes the monthly festival has put together an interesting schedule. The June 3 edition will carry a superheroes theme, and the evening will include a showing of the film “Dog Man” as part of the Ohio Goes to the Movies series which is being coordinated locally by the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. That screening will be held at the village’s dog park, and will happen at dusk.

July 1 will carry the patriotic theme of Red, White and Boom and will be part of the area’s America 250 celebration.

Back-to-school is the theme for Aug. 5, with the season ending on Sept. 2, with an Oktoberfest theme.

The series is funded by donations, John explained, as well as several local sponsors, including Mosti Funeral Home, Shorac Funeral Home Ferguson House of Furniture, 7 Ranges Entertainment and Windows R Us.

“We see it growing,” John said. “It’s a nice crowd. One thing we pride ourselves on is that it’s spread out enough so that you’re not right on top of each other. There’s enough room for everybody to enjoy and not be crammed and sitting on one another.”